The immersion rituals that mark the end of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival wrapped up in Kurnool city after a coordinated effort that saw 1,050 idols lowered into the Handri‑Neeva canal near the Nannur toll plaza, roughly 1,000 idols immersed at Vinayaka Ghat on the K‑C Canal, and a further 96 idols at Ulindakonda.
State Industries Minister T.G. Bharath Gupta spearheaded the decision to use the Handri‑Neeva canal as an alternative immersion site, citing concerns over the district’s water situation and the need to avoid over‑burdening traditional riverbanks.
Police reports indicated that the flow of vehicles carrying large idols surged after midnight, creating a long queue on the highway near the toll plaza. Nevertheless, officials said the event proceeded without incident, thanks to advance planning and the deployment of cranes to handle the biggest statues.
Immersion at the Handri‑Neeva site continued into the early hours of Wednesday, with police noting a noticeable increase in idol arrivals after 12 a.m. The coordinated presence of staff at all three locations helped keep the process orderly despite the heavy rain that fell throughout the night.
Authorities highlighted that the smooth completion of the immersion ceremony demonstrated the effectiveness of the contingency arrangements, which were put in place to manage both the large number of idols and the district’s water management challenges.